Arafat admits problems exist in administration

Specific details not part of his call for reform

August 19, 2004|By Joel Greenberg, Special to the Tribune.

JERUSALEM — In a rare public admission of the shortcomings of his rule, Yasser Arafat on Wednesday acknowledged mistakes and corruption in the Palestinian Authority, but he announced no specific steps while urging reforms.

Addressing the Palestinian Legislative Council at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Arafat gave a sweeping 90-minute policy speech in an effort to allay mounting internal criticism that recently erupted in violent unrest.

"Yes, there were mistaken and rejected practices by some institutions," Arafat said. "There is no one who does not make mistakes. Even the prophets made mistakes.

"Some people have misused their positions and were unfaithful in their jobs," he added. "The task of institution-building was not pursued properly, and not enough effort was made to strengthen the rule of law, activate the judicial system and establish the principle of accountability. We have now begun to address this."

Arafat added that the "the decision to unify, reorganize and train the security apparatus is aimed at preparing it for its role in ending the security chaos." He said that cases of "administrative or financial violations" should be referred immediately to the attorney general for prosecution. And he pledged his full support for the work of the government of Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia.

However, Arafat did not outline any specific reform measures, leading critics to question whether his speech signaled any genuine change.

"His speech diagnosed the Palestinian condition but prescribed no drug. We want a drug to cure this disease," said Hassan Khreisheh, a lawmaker and advocate of reform. "It was the first time that President Arafat talked about corruption; it showed good intentions, but we want them to be translated into something on the ground. Until now nothing has been done."

When Arafat referred to officials who had abused power, he was interrupted by Abdel Jawad Saleh, an independent lawmaker and outspoken critic of the Palestinian leader.

Saleh said that Arafat's speech was "slogans that really had nothing to do with the realities."

"If it was a real gesture, he would have done something substantive, but he didn't, so it doesn't mean anything to me," he said.

Members of a legislative committee that drew up reform proposals met Arafat on Wednesday night to press him to endorse specific measures, but reportedly left empty-handed.

In recent weeks Arafat has come under unprecedented pressure from younger members of his own Fatah movement to end corruption and carry out reforms. Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed offshoot of Fatah, submitted a 13-page manifesto to the Palestinian leadership, demanding the removal and investigation of corrupt officials.

In the Gaza Strip last month, gunmen protesting corruption kidnapped senior security officers, and members of Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades attacked security offices and led street protests. Qureia resigned to protest the spreading lawlessness but withdrew his resignation after Arafat agreed to give him control over some of the security forces.

In Washington on Wednesday, State Department spokesman Adam Ereli took a dim view of Arafat's latest statements. "Our view is that Chairman Arafat has demonstrated by a record of broken promises that we can't work with him," he said. "He's not a useful partner for us."